One of the most important and influential groups are our seniors, who account for 33.8 per cent of our area’s population.

Every year, our senior population consistently shows their dedication to our community by volunteering, whether it is through Rotary or Lions clubs or other community groups, consistently giving back and supporting others.

In turn, we also need to show them support. It could be by simply helping with small tasks, like helping to take your elderly neighbours bins out.

To celebrate our seniors and the work they do, council is again hosting its annual seniors concert at the Belmont 16 Foot Sailing Club. The concert is on Monday, February 18 from 9.30am-noon and includes light refreshments. It is also free to Lake Macquarie residents aged 55 years and older.

This year’s concert will feature special guests Lisa Crouch and The Funky Doo Dahs. Bookings are essential, so visit lakemac.com.au or call 4921 0333 to register. 

This week, I launched the Windale CREATE public artwork, which has given Windale’s retail precinct a splash of colour.

It’s an exciting project and a stunning creative achievement by artists John Cliff, Saretta Fielding, Joanna O’Toole and Warwick O’Toole and all the local school students and community members who helped bring this project together.

Windale is the first location for the city-wide CREATE initiative, which has received $50,000 through the Social Housing Community Improvement Fund.

Further urban centres across Lake Macquarie will also be targeted for the roll out of the project in the coming year.

Finally, can you believe that the Hunter Sports Centre is 20 years old?

On Friday, I will be attending the 20th anniversary event to celebrate what remains as one of the state’s premier athletics facilities.

Only a couple of weeks ago, the centre hosted the NSW Country Championships and the Hunter Track Classic, which were a great way to recognise and acknowledge its history.

It was a truly visionary planning proposal at the time of its construction.

Across its 20 years, the centre has seen tens of thousands of children and adult athletes around its track and in the gymnasium, in addition to the many visitors it has brought to Lake Macquarie.  

There are exciting plans for the facility’s future to come and I look forward to seeing it continue to exceed the needs of our wonderfully active community.